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EQUINE MATTERS
12
AUTUMN 2015 ISSUE
DSP SURGERY
Dorsal spinous process resection
‘Adam’ an 11 year old gelding was presented for surgical
resection of his ‘kissing spines’. He had been showing marked
discomfort localised to his back, was lame behind and reared
chronically when asked for a right bend. He would disunite in
canter whether under saddle or on the lunge
.
Lee Pritchard BVSc CertAVP PGCertVPS MRCVS,
Calweton Equine
Radiographs were taken of his thoracolumbar
spine revealing a number of impinging dorsal
spinous processes. Given the severity of his
clinical presentation, 'Adam' was deemed a
surgical candidate for dorsal spinous process
resection.
In January 2013, ‘Adam’ underwent dorsal
spinous process resection to resolve his back
pain. This surgical technique involves removal
of the top section of the dorsal spinous
process (usually every other dorsal spinous
process along the affected part of the back)
to remove the source of his back pain. An
incision is made along the top of the back
directly over the affected area and the soft
tissues are dissected down to the tops of the
dorsal spinous processes. A retractor is used
to hold the soft tissues and skin away from
the dorsal spinous processes; once good
access has been achieved the bone is
completely removed. Once each affected
dorsal spinous process has been removed
the soft tissues and skin are closed over.
Sutures were used to close the skin incision
(Figure 1)
. ‘Adam‘ had three dorsal spinous
processes removed in total.
‘Adam‘ recovered well post-surgery and
suffered no complications. He had a
single isolated spasmodic colic episode
whilst on box rest but this was treated
with anti-spasmodics and painkillers to
good effect.
Post-operative radiographs were taken of
‘Adam‘s‘ back to assess outcome. Every other
dorsal spinous process associated with his
back pain has been successfully removed.
After surgery ‘Adam‘ was kept on box rest
for 6 weeks with in hand grazing daily
(Figure 2)
. After this period he was allowed
turnout in a small paddock. Work started
with lunging and long-reining for just
5 minutes daily and progressively built up.
‘Adam‘ was back in full work 5 months after
surgery and since this point has shown
complete resolution of his back pain.
Veterinary surgeon
Lee Pritchard
XLEquine practice
Calweton Equine
Figure 2 – Adam’ post surgery
Case study...
Figure 1 – The skin incision after surgery